How To: DIY Pastel Neon Crystal Necklace

As anyone who follows me on Instagram will attest, I’m always collecting jewellery. This season it’s all about the neon crystal necklaces, adding a fun pop of colour a bright collar can add to an otherwise simple outfit. And while I love the versions like this by Tom Binns, Shorouk, Dannijo, Mawi, et. al. I don’t want to pay hundreds of pounds for something that won’t be perennially classic.

So the other weekend when it was so rainy that there was nothing for it but to make my own fun indoors, I took to my jewellery box to make my own version (it is so easy you can do it while watching a single episode of Sex and the City). To DIY you’ll need:

1. Crystal necklace (find a basic one at H&M or similar, or find a vintage version on ebay for just a few pounds – search ‘vintage rhinestone necklace’ to find a gem of your own);
2. Opaque nailpolish (I used Nails Inc in ‘Wimbledon’ – a pastel neon yellow) & a clear topcoat nailpolish;
3. That’s it!Simply give your necklace a polish with a soft cloth, lay it flat on a surface (if you are cautious, you can lay it over paper to catch any drips and tape the ends down to keep it secure) and carefully paint the face of each stone as though you are giving yourself a manicure (you’ll want quite a bit of polish on the brush for a good coverage). Repeat with a second coat so that the colour is even and flawless, and allow to dry for at least ten minutes. Finish with a clear polish topcoat and leave to dry overnight.

Et voila! My own neon necklace in the exact shade I wanted, and for less than £10. I’ve been wearing mine almost non-stop for a few weeks now, and the colour is still perfect and hasn’t transferred onto any clothes (a common problem with spray-painted versions). I think glossy black, candy pink and pastel violet versions are in order next.Will you give this a go? Do report back if so with your own versions!

Love, Miss B xx

Frost your lapels

After this post, I had so many emails asking where I got my statement jacket that I thought I’d give it it’s own post. In actual fact the jacket is a regular black blazer from Topshop (last season) that has probably seen better days. Rather than abandoning it or relegating it to the back of the wardrobe, I instead blinged it up with a pile of brooches from my jewelry draw.

It literally couldn’t be easier to do yourself. Just take one blazer, pick a colour scheme (I went with a mix of silver, aged gold and cream, but black and white or a pile of floral corsages are also variations I play with frequently), and pin as many brooches or other accoutrements on your lapels as will fit. When you think you’ve got enough, add another five or so

Et voila! No further jewels required. Incidentally, this also works brilliantly around the neckline of an old tank top or tee, or a beloved but tired knit.

Please however ensure that all your brooches are fixed securely in place. I didn’t, and in the process lost a favourite vintage Chanel brooch in the process. Oh London, you really are becoming littered with my Chanel treasures…

So until I’m able to find another, here’s a final farewell to my wee little Coco brooch – I hope you’ve at least found a lovely owner!

So tell me, how do you like to customize or revive something that would otherwise languish in your closet?

Love, Miss B xx

Miss B returns…

Why hello! I hope you’ve all been well these past two weeks? I had a brilliant two weeks across the pond, which i’ll share with you a little more over the next few days.

But why am I looking so pleased, you might ask? Well, aside from the obvious (being in New York, where I spent a blissful week with the Clever Boyfriend) – doesn’t a black Chanel bag always put a smile on a girl’s face?

While, as many of you know, I had planned to replace my stolen Chanel 2.55 bag in New York, I was put off when I discovered there had been an $800 price increase. Chanel are notorious for their ridiculously frequent price increases, but this one was rudely implemented the day before my intended purchase (meaning it was no longer cheaper to buy in the US vs the UK). Thinking the bag could wait until my next trip (where I could take advantage of a duty-free price in the UK), I instead went with a beautiful piece of jewelry and a stash of nail polish instead – one can never have too many sparkly baubles, and this one comes in the form of a crystal encrusted silver camellia ring.

What do you think? What shopping bag of goodies always puts a smile on your face?

Love, Miss B xx